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San Fernando was founded
September 8 1797. President Lasuen was in harmony with the plans of Serra to
establish a series of Missions from the Mexican border to Monterey, and he
dedicated this Mission to the King of Spain. The ruins of the adobe building now
seen date back to 18o6, when the erection thereof was completed. They stand in a
valley as fertile and sunny as any in the State, a valley that is very great in
extent and susceptible to cultivation throughout. Enclosed mainly by the San
Fernando and Cuyhengo Ranges, it opens eastward through La Canada Pass to
Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, and southward through Glendale Valley to
Los Angeles. As a grain and fruit region it compares favorably with the other
great valleys in the State. Thus it may be seen that the old Mission had
exhaustless natural resources in soil, climate, and expansive lands to draw on
in the development of its object, and for raising supplies for the padres and
the native converts. The buildings, like many others, were badly shaken or destroyed by the earthquake of 1812. The Mission was restored; and, as in some others of the first class, a magnificent corridor was attached like a wing to the principal building, which enclosed the chapel. The corridor was arched, and under its shade the padres were protected from the sun; here, too, they spent the cool evening hours in repose. The courtyard was refreshed by running water and a fine stone fountain. Shade trees of every description, indigenous to the soil and climate, and such as could be transplanted, or raised from imported seed, everywhere surrounded and interspersed the Mission grounds. Flowers indescribable in variety and perfume allured the vision and gave exquisite pleasure to the senses. Fruits of every kind were plentiful as the native grasses. Indeed, this was one of the great Missions in all that nature and art could contribute to its growth and maturity. Founded in honor of a king who had been canonized by the pope, it could not
be permitted to degenerate into inferiority and obscurity. It flourished and
gathered property in flocks, herds, grain, wine, money, and other effects,
until, in 1825, it was estimated to rank almost without a rival in wealth among
its sister Missions. Its treasury held from one hundred and fifty to two hundred
thousand dollars in cash and assets. The site of the Mission commands a view of
nearly the entire valley, and to the ocean, and the islands from forty to eighty
miles away. |
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